Lessons from Malachi for Christian Doctoral Students

Abstract A sense of disillusionment grips many doctoral students as they face financial distress, lack of adequate mentorship, concern about job prospects, and other challenges. The Old Testament book of Malachi is a little-recognized resource for students struggling with feelings of disillusionment. Malachi’s audience faced disappointment after joyfully returning from exile to a homeland beset with problems. In response to such disillusionment, even the priests at the Jerusalem temple lowered their standards. Malachi not only condemns such behavior, but also addresses the root problem by pointing beyond the immediate circumstances to the people’s continuing status in covenant with God. In this theoretical essay, we propose that doctoral students today can learn from Malachi’s words. First, these students might look beyond their present circumstances to their larger vocation as stewards. Second, they benefit from being part of a community that reminds them of their vocation. Third, just as Malachi points the priests to the positive example of their ancestor Levi, doctoral students can recall people who embody the academic vocation.